I reject what you said about the oil concept. What we are giving to the state is simply the permitting process.

But what this bill would do is provide a certainty of access somewhere while giving the agencies the flexibility to relocate as issues arise.

We can do it because we are Congress and we write the laws. That is a guarantee for you.

By 2013, the national monument threat had spawned a collaborative effort in which Representatives Bishop and Chaffetz solicited input from stakeholders via each county in eastern Utah.

We want to commend Congressman Bishop and Congressman Chaffetz for their support of this project over the years.

I appreciate that statement about our staff. They are not getting a raise. I don't care what they told you.

If successful, I would suggest naming it the 'Incinerated Forest National Monument,' where schoolchildren can come to see what the surface of the moon looks like.

This President has relied on the Antiquities Act--originally written in 1906 to provide temporary protection of archeological sites from looting--to lock up 548 million acres of land and water on whim.

This President has relied on the Antiquities Act, originally written in 1906, to provide temporary protection for archeological sites from looting, to lock up 548 million acres of land and water on a whim.

What this bill tries to do is four major things, bring finality in four areas.

We have also been actively engaged in cultural resource protection issues in southeast Utah--working to ensure compliance with federal laws designed to avoid impacts to historic and cultural properties and supporting thoughtful planning…

H.R. 5780 is a modern day Indian lands grab.

Unfortunately after repeated assurances from Congressman Bishop's Office that the PLI will fully reflect our proposal, we find the current draft varies greatly from our proposal's intent.

The collaborative management approach that has been suggested for Bears Ears National Monument cannot legally be done. It violates the law.

Hearing held on Wednesday, September 14, 2016.

This creates enormous problems and economic distress on the communities that are impacted by Federal land ownership, and the bill before us is a result of many years of work, collaboration, and compromise by Chairman Bishop and Congressman…

This bill preempts arbitrary and capricious designations threatened in the final throes of the Obama administration.

There are shrill voices out there realizing that if we actually bring finality in this issue, they will be out of work.